Justin opened his eyes and bolted upright in the pile of blankets.

"No!" he shouted out.

Standing over him, Manohara froze with the flute at his lips. He lowered the flute but said nothing.

"I..no... can't... I'm... it's," Justin attempted to explain himself to the magician but he could not form a sentence.

"Only way," said Manohara.

This isn't the way, thought Justin. This magician doesn't know what he is talking about.

Nitara had to wake up before tomorrow, but Justin could not help her. He had no magic to give.

He stood up, Manohara took a step back, and Justin paced the room. He needed to find someone who could help Nitara. Either a wizard or a real magician who knew what they were doing. But it was nighttime, and they were in the middle of the Jungle. He walked past a door that led onto the back of the wraparound porch. He came to a halt and then backed up to look at the door again. One name rang in his mind: Naldo.

He had opened a door to somewhere far away twice. But hadn't Satvi actually been the one to make one of those doors open? He squared his shoulders; he had to try for Nitara. He grabbed the door handle, closed his eyes, and imagined the replica Globe Theatre stage. He pulled the door open and opened his eyes. He looked out upon a wooden porch and beyond that the thick green foliage of the jungle. He immediately slammed the door shut.

The blood in his neck bulged against his skin as his heart thumped. Manohara gaped at him with wide eyes. Justin hurried the man to the front door. He closed his eyes again. Perhaps the castle was too far away. Only with the help of Simon's magic was he able to travel to India. He needed to try somewhere closer. He imagined the greenhouse with the swaying bush that swayed along with the older woman, Rupali. Justin reached out and gripped the door handle tightly. He clenched his teeth together and pulled the door open. He opened his eyes. Thangamani and her family stared up at him from the table. Murrugesan's mouth hung open. He smiled awkwardly at them, trying to be reassuring but feeling only like a crazy person.

He slammed the door shut and jumped as he faced back into the room. Manohara stood directly behind him. The magician reached out both hands and placed them on Justin's shoulders.

"Trust," said Manohara, and he smiled even though his eyes creased not with joy but with worry.

Justin shrugged out of Manohara's grip and shook his head. He raced across the room to the back porch door. Maybe he needed to try somewhere he had opened a door to before. If he went back outside the cafe in Govindapura, perhaps he could track down Ramya. Yes, Ramya would know what to do. He grabbed the door handle, thinking about his forest kingdom just like he had in the police building. He turned the handle and again found nothing but jungle.

Falling to the ground, his breath quickened. His vision darkened at the edges, and as it did, his breath caught in his throat. Trying to inhale, the air never reached his lungs. He brought a hand to his throat. He felt dizzy and panic swelled in his chest like a rock that would keep him below the surface of the ocean. He coughed, trying to breathe and push away the weight.

A figure stood above him, but Justin could not make out who it was, his vision only pinpricks now. Hands clasped his shoulders and pulled him to his feet, out of the water.

"Justin!" a voice shouted. It did not belong to Manohara.

Someone placed a paper bag into Justin's hands and then forced it towards his mouth. The air he sucked in finally hit his lungs. He gasped and inhaled again. His vision returned. After a few more inhales and exhales into the bag, Justin lowered it from his face. The wizard of the jungle stood before him.

"Vendari," he said.

The wizard frowned. "You are awful at your magic."

Justin lowered his eyes and shrugged. "I don't even know if I have magic."

Vendari placed one firm hand on Justin's chest above where his heartbeat. With his other hand, he gripped Justin's shoulder. Suddenly, Justin felt his heart pulse with warmth. It radiated outward towards his skin.

"Look," said Vendari, and Justin looked down to see his chest glowing with a golden light. With each heartbeat, the light pulsed, the warmth radiating out across his chest. The light also spread. Justin could not deny that this golden light came from within him.

"How are you doing that?" Justin whispered.

"It is my magic. I could take your magic from you if I wished."

"Would I turn into a beast?"

Vendari frowned. "No. I cannot take your atma. I can only snub out your light, like when you blow out a candle, the candle is still a candle. I can also take the magic away from magicians."

"Can you help Nitara?" Justin asked, and as if she knew he was talking about her, Nitara whimpered in her sleep. Both Justin and Vendari gazed at her, and Vendari's frown deepened. He released his hands from Justin's chest and shoulder, the glowing light receding back into Justin's heart. Faintly, with each heartbeat, Justin still felt the warmth. Vendari stepped over to the cot where Nitara slept and bent over the girl. He reached out a hand and grazed a thumb over her forehead. As if being electrocuted, the wizard quickly pulled his hand back.

He straightened, his face etched with deep valleys. "I cannot."

"Why not?"

"If you are to give your magic to another wizard, your intentions must be pure. Any other intentions, but the purest kind, could harm the person. Her family took my son. My intentions would not be pure enough."

Justin's shoulders slumped.

"Your magic is who you are, Justin. Be true to who you are, be Justin, and your magic will come to you."

Slowly, the wizard made his way towards the back door.

"Were you able to help the beast?" Justin asked.

Vendari paused and looked Justin in the eyes. "No. I do not think I am the one who has to help this beast."

"Does it still have my friend?"

"Yes. Your friend is safe. For now."

As if even speaking of the beast could anger it, thunder boomed outside. Justin flinched and closed his eyes. When he opened them, Vendari was gone.